Page 95 - AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS

Around the World in 80 Days

Phileas Fogg had heard what Sir Francis said, and, as
soon as the procession had disappeared, asked: ‘What is a
suttee?’
‘A suttee,’ returned the general, ‘is a human sacrifice,

but a voluntary one. The woman you have just seen will
be burned to-morrow at the dawn of day.’
‘Oh, the scoundrels!’ cried Passepartout, who could not
repress his indignation.
‘And the corpse?’ asked Mr. Fogg.
‘Is that of the prince, her husband,’ said the guide; ‘an
independent rajah of Bundelcund.’
‘Is it possible,’ resumed Phileas Fogg, his voice
betraying not the least emotion, ‘that these barbarous
customs still exist in India, and that the English have been
unable to put a stop to them?’
‘These sacrifices do not occur in the larger portion of
India,’ replied Sir Francis; ‘but we have no power over
these savage territories, and especially here in Bundelcund.
The whole district north of the Vindhias is the theatre of
incessant murders and pillage.’
‘The poor wretch!’ exclaimed Passepartout, ‘to be
burned alive!’
‘Yes,’ returned Sir Francis, ‘burned alive. And, if she
were not, you cannot conceive what treatment she would

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